Weinschel attenuator
I have take delivery of a Weinschel step attenuator, which is actuated by 12V relays that can be combined to make any step between 0 and 127 dB attenuation.
Today I hooked it up to a power supply and my spectrum analyzer (and tracking generator) to check that it works.
And a quick check confirms that all the relays and individual steps work, and they do combine in the way one should expect. So the attenuator is healthy. According to the datasheet, the attenuator should work up to 2GHz, which is the limit of my spectrum analyzer, and that is confirmed. Also according to the datasheet, the relays draw 14 mA each, confirmed in the lab.
My long run goal is to build this into an instrument with microprocessor and ethernet control. Maybe Easter can be a time to get some design work done.